From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

May 22, 1884 – The Brandon Mail

John Donaldson, an actor originally from Toronto and who has been part of dramatic troupes there and in New York, lost an ear yesterday when his wife shot at his head with a bulldog revolver. He met his wife in a dramatic company he joined when he first went to New York and the marriage was on and off with several separations and reconciliations. The incident occurred in Saginaw, Michigan after his wife attempted to have him arrested earlier in the day in a fit of jealousy. The bullet passed through Donaldson’s brain and along his right cheek before taking off his ear. The wound is not considered dangerous. By the latest reports, Mrs. Donaldson has not yet been found.

The fearful crash on Wall Street has caused consternation among many Toronto speculators. Many got bit on Union Pacific and Michigan Central stocks. The Metropolitan Bank has closed its doors with several prominent stock speculators were ruined in the crash.

At exactly 5 p.m. on Monday afternoon, the last rail was laid and the last spike driven near the Petit Rouge River on the Ontario-Quebec railway. A large crowd assembled to watch the men work as the afternoon wore on and there was much excitement and celebration when the work was complete.

May 20, 1914 – Vulcan Advocate

The gents furnisher, Mr. Spooner is fortunate enough to own land adjacent to the Dingman Well. He owns a half section of land two miles from the well but adjacent to the company’s property. When oil was first mentioned, he turned down some tempting offers for his place and now the value of the property has increased considerably.

The fire brigade had a splendid practice on Monday last with both engines being hauled by teams to see which would get to the scene of a small fire first. The teams made two runs with the number one engine took the advantage in the first run and the race being so close in the second that both teams declared victory. The signal from the hall was poor as the bell rope with  not working properly but the chief assured council later the same evening the situation would be remedied.

Various cases have come up recently in several towns where owners of chickens have allowed their hens to trespass on a neighbour’s garden and had to pay a fine and costs. There is nothing to say the same thing won’t happen in Vulcan.

May 19, 1921 – The Carbon News

Billy Douglas and Craig Taylor paid Carbon their usual seasonal visit last week. The town always knows the two have been on a job when the gasoline barrels from in front of the Farmer’s Exchange are scattered all over Main Street. As barrel balancers, most would agree, those two are proficient.

We sure wish an enterprising hardware traveller would sell Frank a reliable clock, so he is aware when it’s quitting time. As one of the proponents of the early closing idea, Frank sure sets a poor example.

Jim Fraser, a lessee of the Fuller Mine, had the sad misfortune of his house burning down last week. It is rumoured he needed to take to the dugout until reinforcements arrived with some clothing.